Santa Anita Derby Picks — Betting Preview and Predictions (Apr 5)

One of the most important prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby is set for this weekend.

The Santa Anita Derby has produced 17 winners of the Kentucky Derby, which includes horses such as Winning Colors, Affirmed, and Justify. But, which runner will enhance their Derby credentials in California this weekend?

Odds

Santa Anita Derby Recent Winners

Santa Anita Derby: Event Information

Event Preview

It could be argued that the Santa Anita Derby is the most important race on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, with the contest having a fine record of producing winners of the Triple Crown race. It should also be noted that the current top two in the betting for the race at Churchill Downs will be involved at Santa Anita on Saturday.

Journalism is the current Derby favorite, and the three-year-old has won three from four career starts for Michael McCarthy. He produced a career-best effort based on Equibase speed ratings last time out when posting a figure of 110 when landing the G2 San Felipe Stakes.

Barnes is one of two for the Bob Baffert yard in the Santa Anita Derby this weekend. The three-year-old has won two from three career starts, but he will have questions to answer this weekend after finishing behind Journalism in the G2 San Felipe.

Citizen Bull has answered every question asked of him to this point, and he deserves huge respect. Last season, he landed the G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile, and he returned to action with a straightforward win in the G3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes, posting a speed figure of 107.

John Shirreffs also has two runners this weekend. Westwood is very hard to make a case for, as the Authentic colt is yet to break his maiden. Baeza steps up in class after winning impressively in a maiden special weight at Santa Anita in February, posting a speed figure of 104.

Santa Anita Derby Picks

The big three look clear of the other two horses in this field, and they are closely matched on figures. However, Citizen Bull could be the best play.

The three-year-old has already shown his toughness on track, with his Juvenile win being a strong form line. He could finally become a leading Derby contender for Baffert on Saturday.